Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 16. And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

Vers. 16. And vpon all the ships of Tarshish, and vpon all pleasant pictures.

BY Tarshish the Hebrews do surely mean Cilicia: and because the Jews had great traffic with this nation, the Scripture often makes mention of the ships of Tarshish; which were so called, because they frequented that sea. Navigation certainly is not to be condemned, because it brings great profit and commodity to men: as well to carry forth as to bring home merchandise. This kind of traffic also cannot be hurtful; seeing it is the will of God that all mankind should be helpful one to another by mutual duties: but because pride and cruelty is above all things engendered by abundance; therefore Isaiah reproves this kind of merchandise, by which the land had been greatly enriched. Add hereunto, that oft times it comes to pass that the merchandise and traffic which is used with nations far off; is full of deceit and pillage, and there is no measure amongst men in this behalf touching excessive gain. §1First then the Prophets meaning is, that the Jews shall be stripped of their riches; to the end they may learn to subject themselves under God. §2Secondly, he sets forth their covetousness and unlawful gains by signs: as if one should describe murder by showing a sword all bloody.

BY Tarshish the Hebrewes do surely meane Cilicia: and because the Iewes had great trafficke with this nation, the Scripture often makes mention of the ships of Tarshish; which were so called, because they frequented that sea. Nauigation certainly is not to be condemned, because it bringes great profit and commoditie to men: as well to carrie forth as to bring home marchandise. This kinde of trafficke also cannot be hurtfull; seeing it is the will of God that all mankinde should be helpfull one to another by mutuall duties: but because pride and crueltie is aboue al things ingendred by abundāce; therfore Isaiah reproues this kind of merchandise, by which the land had been greatly enriched. Adde hereunto, that oft times it comes to passe that the merchandise and trafficke which is vsed with nations farre off; is full of deceit and pillage, and there is no measure amongst men in this behalfe touching excessiue gaine.